Cheat Sheet: What Olives Are in Your Olive Oil?

Cheat Sheet: What Olives Are in Your Olive Oil?

One of the best reasons to opt for a high-quality olive oil is that you can be certain it is made with one thing: olives. There is no mixing with other kinds of oils and no added ingredients. To ensure quality, Deoleo picks quality olive oils pressed from olives grown all around the world. By not limiting to a single origin or a single olive type, Deoleo olive oils remain premium and unaffected by any crop issues related to bad weather or other external factors.  

At Deoleo, master blenders sample as many as 20,000 olive oils in a year to determine the ideal combination that delivers a consistent olive oil flavor.  

So, what are the taste profiles of these different olives? Much like any other fruit, distinct regions produce olive varieties with unique flavor characteristics. Get to know our top five favorite olives below! 

Olive Variety: Hojiblanca 

Origin: Spain 

Flavor Profile: Lightly bitter, or occasionally pungent and sweet with a light touch of apple. Mild on the palate with an almond aftertaste. 

Olive Variety: Coratina 

Origin: Italy 

Flavor Profile: Olive leaf notes with hints of green almond. Very bitter and spicy taste. This olive produces a highly fruity oil.

Olive Variety: Arbequina 

Origin: Spain and Portugal 

Flavor Profile: Ripe apple, green banana, and fresh almond notes. This olive produces a sweet oil with a fruity aroma. 

Olive Variety: Koroneiki 

Origin: Greece 

Flavor Profile: Smell of freshly cut grass, green vegetables, and Mediterranean herbs. This olive produces a fruity oil. 

Olive Variety: Picual 

Origin: Spain 

Flavor Profile: Smell of a fig, still green on the tree and a persistent bitter taste.